About Physical and Occupational Therapy

Part of McGill's Faculty of Medicine, we are proud of the outstanding academic environment that is offered to our students. The School of Physical and Occupational Therapy is situated on McGill University's upper campus in a gracious downtown area of the beautiful city of Montreal, Quebec.

The School offers master's and doctorate programs in three areas:

Occupational Therapy

Physical Therapy

Rehabilitation Sciences

Two graduate certificate programs are also offered in Driving Rehabilitation and Chronic Pain Management.

The School is internationally recognized for the excellence of its contribution to research in rehabilitation. Excellence in research and teaching is the foundation and tradition of the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy at McGill University. The Faculty educates professionals and, through research, generates the body of knowledge that guides our professions to advance the health, function, and participation of the individual in society.

The full curriculum consists of approximately two years of study for graduates who hold a B.Sc. degree in one of the medical rehabilitation disciplines or a related field. The program consists of required and elective coursework, a research proposal, and a research thesis.

The program requires three terms of full-time residence study and can usually be completed within three to four terms. It is designed for graduates who hold a B.Sc. (or equivalent) in Physical or Occupational Therapy or related health professions. Two years of clinical experience is recommended. The program trains health professionals to become consumers of research in order to promote evidence-based practice in rehabilitation science. The curriculum is made up of both required and elective courses and may also include a research project.

The Master of Science, Applied, in Physical Therapy program is to be completed in 1.5 graduate years over five semesters, and includes four clinical practica of 1,050 hours in total, leading to professional licensure to practice. The educational approach is consistent with adult learning, self-directed learning, reflective clinical practice, and inter-professionalism. Strong links between academic and clinical fieldwork education are emphasized. Courses emphasize client-centred and evidence-based practice across the lifespan and health care continuum, and include health promotion from prevention of disability to rehabilitation. In addition to fieldwork, the program requirements include courses in advanced clinical practice, research methodology, and educational methodology. The master's project prepares the entry-to-practice physiotherapist to become an autonomous and effective professional through the acquisition of research skills. Entry to the Master of Science, Applied, in Physical Therapy is limited to internal candidates coming from the Bachelor of Rehabilitation Science (PT) and the Qualifying Year to the M.Sc.A. (PT).

The Master of Science (Applied) in Occupational Therapy program is to be completed in 1.5 graduate years over five semesters and includes a clinical practicum of 1,000 hours leading to professional licensure to practice. The educational approach is consistent with adult learning and reflective clinical practice. The curriculum uses a case-based, problem-solving, self-directed approach across the lifespan. Strong links between academic and clinical fieldwork education are emphasized throughout the educational process. Coursework will focus on client-centred and evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, ethics, and professionalism as essential components for the development of a humanistic, ethical, knowledgeable, competent, critical thinking, and problem-solving Occupational Therapist. The master’s project is designed to develop research and scholarly skills. Entry to the Master of Science, Applied, in Occupational Therapy is limited to internal candidates coming from the Bachelor of Rehabilitation Science (OT) and the Qualifying Year to the M.Sc.A. (OT).

This program consists of three to four years of study, on average, for graduates with master's-level training in one of the medical rehabilitation disciplines or a related field. The program consists of required and elective coursework, a comprehensive written examination, a research proposal, a doctoral thesis, and an oral defence.

The 15-credit postgraduate certificate program aims to train Occupational Therapists to assess the driving abilities and performance of at-risk populations, retrain drivers, recommend adaptive vehicles and adapt technical aids that will allow disabled individuals to return to driving and preserve their independence and quality of life. The program comprises five courses. The first two are offered online; the other three are a combination of online and intensive workshops.

The 15-credit postgraduate certificate program aims to train healthcare professionals on the most recent and relevant approaches and technologies for the care and management of chronic pain with an interdisciplinary perspective. The program comprises four core courses offered online and one elective course, which can be online or a directed practicum.

Admission Requirements

Language Requirements

Applicants to graduate studies whose mother tongue is not English, and who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized foreign institution where English is the language of instruction or from a recognized Canadian institution (anglophone or francophone), must submit documented proof of competency in oral and written English, by appropriate exams, e.g.:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with a minimum score of 86 on the Internet-based test (iBT), with each component score not less than 20; or

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with a minimum overall band score of 6.5.

Note: McGill University's Institutional code for the TOEFL and GRE is 0935.

M.Sc. in Rehabilitation Science (Thesis)

A B.Sc. degree or equivalent in Physical or Occupational Therapy or a related field from a university of recognized reputation;

Evidence of high academic achievement, equivalent to a B standing, or a McGill CGPA of 3.0 (70–74%);

Prerequisite courses may be required in statistics, anatomy, physiology, psychology, sociology, neurophysiology, or other areas, depending on the student's anticipated specialization;

Applicants must meet the language requirements listed above;

A GRE (Graduate Records Examination) Test is recommended for the following applicants:

those who do not have a B.Sc. or equivalent from a Canadian university;

those who have been out of university for five years or more.

Only the GRE General Test is required.

Applicants must ensure that official test results are sent to McGill University directly by the testing service. Applications cannot be considered if test results are not available.

If a graduate student accepted into the M.Sc. program demonstrates superior performance in the first year, the Graduate Committee, in consultation with the thesis supervisor, may recommend waiving the M.Sc. thesis requirement, and allow the student to proceed directly to the Ph.D. program.

M.Sc. in Rehabilitation Science (Non-Thesis)

1 to 5 as above; plus two years of clinical experience is recommended.

Qualifying Year for Entry into M.Sc.A.(O.T.)

An undergraduate degree or equivalent in any subject from a university of recognized reputation;

Evidence of high academic achievement in one's undergraduate degree, equivalent to a B standing, or a McGill CGPA of 3.0 (70-74%) or higher -- the average accepted CGPA is 3.6;

No prerequisite courses; Completion of optional background courses is recommended;

Completion of the Canadian Professional Health Sciences CASPer Test (the CASPer test is administered by Altus Assessments);

An undergraduate degree or equivalent in any subject from a university of recognized reputation;

Evidence of high academic achievement in all undergraduate coursework, equivalent to a McGill CGPA of 3.2 or higher. As academic performance is heavily weighted in the admissions process, a CGPA of at least 3.4 is recommended;

At least three McGill-equivalent credits in Human Anatomy and at least three McGill-equivalent credits of Human or Mammalian Physiology, with a McGill-equivalent grade of B or higher, completed prior to the start of the Qualifying Year;

Completion of the Canadian Professional Health Sciences CASPer Test (the CASPer test is administered by Altus Assessments);

This program is only open to McGill students who have successfully completed the B.Sc.(Rehabilitation Science) majoring in Occupational Therapy, or McGill students who have successfully completed the Qualifying Year to the M.Sc.A. Occupational Therapy.

M.Sc.A.(P.T.)

This program is only open to McGill students who have successfully completed the B.Sc.(Rehabilitation Science) majoring in Physical Therapy, or McGill students who have successfully completed the Qualifying Year to the M.Sc.A. Physical Therapy.

Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science

An M.Sc. degree in a rehabilitation-related discipline from a university of recognized reputation;

Evidence of high academic achievement, equivalent to a B+ standing, or a McGill CGPA of 3.3 (75–79%) is required;

Applicants must meet the language requirements listed above;

A GRE (Graduate Records Examination) Test is recommended for the following applicants:

those who do not have a B.Sc., M.Sc., or equivalent from a Canadian university;

those who have been out of university for five years or more.

Applicants must ensure that official test results are sent to McGill University directly by the testing service. Applications cannot be considered if test results are not available.

Graduate Certificate in Driving Rehabilitation

A B.Sc. degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy or a related field from a university of recognized reputation;

Evidence of high academic achievement, equivalent to a B standing or a McGill CGPA of 3.0 (70–74%);

See points 3, 4, and 5 under M.Sc. in Rehabilitation Science (Thesis) above for more information on prerequisites, TOEFL, and GRE.

Graduate Certificate in Chronic Pain Management

A B.Sc. degree or equivalent in a health-related discipline from a university of recognized reputation;

Evidence of high academic achievement, equivalent to a B standing or a McGill CGPA of 3.0 (70–74%);

See points 3, 4, and 5 under M.Sc. in Rehabilitation Science (Thesis) above for more information on prerequisites, TOEFL, and GRE.

Additional Requirements

The items and clarifications below are additional requirements set
by this department:

Curriculum Vitae

GRE – recommended for M.Sc. in Rehabilitation Science (Thesis and Non-Thesis) and Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science for applicants who do not have a B.Sc., or equivalent, from a Canadian university, or those who have been out of university for five years or more. Only the GRE General Test is required.

Two years of clinical experience – recommended for M.Sc. in Rehabilitation Science (Non-Thesis).

Application Dates and Deadlines

Application opening dates are set by Enrolment Services in consultation with Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS), while application deadlines are set by the School of Physical & Occupational Therapy and may be revised at any time. Applicants must verify all deadlines and documentation requirements well in advance on the appropriate McGill departmental website; please consult the list at www.mcgill.ca/gps/contact/graduate-program.